Flashlight construction



March 26, 1940. J J WALSH 2,194,992

FLASHLIGHT CONSTRUCTION Filed June 17. 1938 JOHN J WALSH myamliz ATYORN EYS Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLASHLIGHT CONSTRUCTION John J. Walsh, Yonkers, N. Y. Application June 17, 1938, Serial No. 214,311

1 Claim.

This invention relates generally to hand signaling devices and more particularly to hand signaling lamps such as flashlights and the like, having a plurality of light sources mounted a therein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand signal lantern similar to a flashlight or the like having a plurality of light sources whereby the user of the device can direct signals in different directions simultaneously.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hand signaling device of the type hereinbefore referred to comprising a plurality of light sources, wherein means are included for selectively actuating one or a plurality of said light sources, whereby the device can be used as an ordinary hand torch or, upon occasion, can be used for transmitting signals in opposite directions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type hereinabove referred to, particularly adapted to the use of hikers, track walkers and other persons having Occasion to travel on foot along lines of commercial traffic making it desirable that means be provided to inform the traffic of the walkers presence.

An important advantage of the novel signaling device according to the present invention is r-io that it comprises relatively few parts, all of which are of'simple and rugged construction, whereby economical manufacture and long useful life of the device are promoted.

It is a feature of the device according to the of, presently preferred, a colored light is provided for signaling in one direction and a socalled white or uncolored light is provided for signaling in the other direction or for illuminatw ing the path of the user.

Other objects, advantages and features of the device according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art during the I instant invention that in one embodiment there-' specific embodiment thereof will be hereinafter described, it being clearly understood, however, that the illustrated embodiment is given solely by way of example and is non-limitative upon the scope of the present invention, except as expressed in the subjoined claim.

Referring then to the drawing:

Figure 1 is substantially a top plan view of the now preferred embodiment of the present invention. 10

Figure 2 is substantially a side elevational view, partially in section of the device illustrated in Figure 1.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are substantially end views of the device with parts omitted for clearness, lb illustrating different positions of the switching arm.

Figure 6 is substantially a fragmentary perspective detail view of the end of the device particularly illustrating the structure of the switching arm.

Figure 7 is substantially a schematic circuit diagram of lamps, power source and switches, illustrating circuits formed when switching arm is in different positions, and I Figure 8 is substantially a fragmentary detail elevational view of a portion of the device.

Referring now to the drawing wherein the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, it will be noted that the device comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow casing member having a first threaded end portion ll engaging with a threaded cap member I3 and a second threaded end portion The member l3, which has an opening in the front thereof adapted to receive a lens It held between flanged edge portions of said opening and the end of the casing ID. A first light source comprisinga reflector member l5, provided with a flanged edge It adapted to being held between the lens and the end of the casing, is positioned behind and in axial alignment with said lens substantially as shown in Figure 2. A portion of, the reflector member l5, generally indicated at I1, is bent backwardly therefrom and is associated with'an annular member is, the latter serving as amounting for the lamp l9, and the former serving as an electrical connection between the casing 10 and one terminal of the lamp IQ, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. One terminal of the lamp l9 comprises the threaded portion and is connected as hereinbefore mentioned: the other terminal is the centrally located member 20 which abuts against one terminal, viz., the metallic shell end of the 5 battery 22, positioned within the casing |0 substantially as shown. The threaded portion |2 of the other end of the casing ||J engages with the threaded cap member 30 carrying a second light source comprising an auxiliary signal lamp unit generally designated at 3|, said lamp unit being attached to said cap by means including hinge elements 32. The auxiliary lamp unit 3| comprises a hollow substantially tubular casing member 33 having a threaded end portion 34 engaging with and carrying a cap 35, the latter being provided with an opening formed in the front thereof having flanged edge portions adapted to press against and hold a lens substantially as shown in Figure 2. The reflector 37, provided with flanged edges for mounting same between the end of the casing 33 and the lens 35, carries an annular member 38 serving as mounting for the lamp 39.

The auxiliary lamp unit 3|, mounted on hinge elements 32 as hereinbefore described, normally is retained in spaced adjacency relative to the end of the casing l0, by means including a resilient catch 40, mounted on the annular member 38 and, passing through openings formed in the bottom of the casing 33 and cap 30, engaging with parts of the threaded end |2 of the casing Hi. It will be noted that the distal end of the catch 40, generally designated by the numeral 40a, is bent back upon itself to provide an essentially resilient hook-like formation, whereby, when engaged, the latch at least tends to press the auxiliary lamp unit 3| toward the end portion of the casing i0. Disengagement of the latch 40 from the threaded portion I2 or" the casing end is facilitated by manipulation of the handle 40b, whereby upon. occasion, the auxiliary lamp unit 3| can be moved, relative to the casing I0, into a position substantially as shown in phantom in Fig- ,ure 2.

The end part of the cap member 30 is formed with a centrally located inwardly concaved portion 4| having an opening near the center thereof wherein is mounted a conductor element 42, positioned between insulative bushings 43 and 44 and held in position by the threaded member 45 cooperating with threaded parts thereof. The conductor member 42, which is insulated from electrical contact with the end of the cap 30 by the bushings as aforesaid, abuts against and makes electrical contact with a terminal 46 of the battery 41 positioned within the tubular casing l0 substantially as shown. It will be noted that in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the batteries are arranged with the outer casing or negative terminal of the battery 41 in contact with the central or positive terminal of the battery 22, that is, the cells are connected in series as is normally the case. It will be understood of course, that each shell is provided with insulation on the sides thereof preventing electrical contact with the casing I0, such as the insulation 41a of the cell 41.

The switch generally designated at 50 comprises an electrically conductive arm 52, having an integral handle portion 5| for facilitating manual operation thereof, pivoted on the pin 53 and extending over the end 4| of the cap 30 whereby the end portion 54 of the arm can be disposed over and in contact with conductor terminal 42, hereinbefore described. These structural details are best illustrated in Figure 6 wherein the arm end 54 is shown in contact with the conductor member 42.

Upstanding projections 60 and 6|, formed integral with the cap 30 and located near the periphery of the end portion 4| thereof, are adapted to be engaged with and limit movement or the arm 50 and to abut against parts of the auxiliary lamp unit 3|. A projecting cam formation 65 is provided on adjoining peripheral parts of the end of the casing element 33 and engages with the arm. 50 when the latter is moved into position against the stop 60 substantially as shown in Figure 5. The projections 60 and 5| are of substantially the same height and are arranged whereby the lamp unit 3| normally rests thereon, maintaining same in spaced relationship to the cap end 4| except when the arm 50 is disposed as shown in Figure 5, in which case, said arm engaging with and riding on the projecting cam 65, presses against and causes the entire auxiliary lamp unit 3| to be raised relative to the casing end portion.

The operation of the device is accomplished by manipulation of the switching arm 50. Referring now especially to Figure 3, it will be noted that when the army 50 is disposed as illustrated at a place intermediate the stops 60 and 6|, both lamps l9 and 39 are placed in circuit with the batteries, inasmuch as the terminal 55 of the lamp 39 is in contact with the conductor terminal 42, the latter being in direct contact with the central terminal of the battery 41, whereby the circuit is completed through the members 45, 42, 55 and lamp 39; and on the other side to the power, through the members 2|, l9, H, II], 40, and 38. In III of Figure 7, the schematic circuit indicates the connection of the batteries C in series with the lamps A and B which are equivalent to the lamps 39 and I9 hereinbefore described. It of course will be evident to those skilled in this art that when both lamps are connected in series with the batteries, both lamps burn with reduced brilliance because each operates upon half nor- 1 mal voltage.

Referring now to Figure 4, it will be noted that when the arm 50 is disposed in substantially the position illustrated next adjacent to the stop 6|,

the end 54 thereof is in contact with the terminal end portion 42, whereby the lamp I9 is connected in series with the batteries. Referring to IV of Figure 7, it will be noted that the lamp B, which is the equivalent of lamp I9, is connected in series with the batteries C and that the terminals of the lamp B, equivalent to lamp 39 hereinbefore described, are short circuited. In this instance, the circuit completed comprises the members 20, I9, I8, I9, 5|], 42, 45 and the batteries. It is to be especially noted that the end portion 54 a of the arm 52 is interposed between the conductor terminal 42 and the terminal 55 of the lamp 39. whereby the terminals of said lamp 39 are short circuited, accordingly this lamp is not operated when the switching means are disposed as aforesaid.

A third position of the switching arm 52, namely next adjacent the stop 60, is illustrated in Figure 5, it being understood that when in this position, a portion of the arm 52 engages with and rides on the projecting cam member 65, hereinbefore described, which is provided on the periphery of the cap 30. When so positioned, there is no electrical circuit completed including either of the lamps and the batteries, inasmuch as the arm 52 is not in contact with the conductor terminal 42 and the auxiliary lamp unit 3| is raised relative to the casing cap 30 by movement of said arm onto said projecting cam 65 as hereinbefore described, whereby the terminal 42 does not make contact with the terminal 55 of the lamp 39. Accordingly with the switching arm in this position, the electrical circuit is substantially as depicted in V of Figure "I.

It is to be understood that this improvement is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is;

In a hand signalling device of the type comprising a tubular casing containing a power source and having a primary and a secondary light source, mounted in opposite end caps of said casing, said light sources and power source being electrically connected in series, the cap carrying the secondary light source being swingably attached to the casing; the improvement which comprises electrical selective switching means interposed in the series circuit comprising the power source and light sources, said means comprising an axially extending conductor, electrically insulatively mounted within the casing connected to the free terminal of the power source and resting against the free terminal of the secondary light source whereby the series circuit including primary and secondary light sources and the power source is completed; a manually oscillatory electrically conductive lever, pivoted eccentrically within the casing whereby during movement of said lever, the end thereof overlies and makes electrical contact with said axially extending conductor short'circuiting the secondary light source, and a cam formation on the casing end nearest the secondary light source in the path of movement of said oscillatory lever, cooperating with said lever, when the lever end is in a locality remote from said axially extending conductor, to cause swinging motion of the casing cap carrying the secondary light source to interrupt the electrical contact of the free terminal of the second- .9

ary light source and the conductor and thereby interrupting each circuit including the power source and a light source.

JOHN J. WALSH. 

